The vast garden of a 19th century village core house in Balzan will be re-landscaped to its original state, through a government scheme aimed at restoring old houses.

The owners of the house will be benefiting from the Investi f’Darek programme. Thanks to the scheme, which gives a rebate of up to €5,000, the fountain at the back of the garden will be completely restored and its cemented pathways will be replaced with flagstone.

Architect Joanna Spiteri Staines explained how the owners are working with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to give the garden its original Mediterranean look – complete with rubble wall, a fountain at the back and citrus trees – but will also cater for their need to include a swimming pool.

Addressing the press, in the garden of the house in Main Street, Balzan, Environment Minister Mario de Marco lauded the owners’ effort, noting that previous owners had in fact applied to rebuild the garden – but the application did not go through.

“We need to move away from re-development in village cores and instead promote regeneration and restoration,” said Dr de Marco. So far 214 houses have benefited from this €3 million scheme.

The Maltese Tourism Authority, together with Mepa and National Commission for Persons with Disability, have undertakena pilot project promoting the renovation of Palazzini into boutique hotels, he said. “We had about 21 interested applicants from houses all over Malta,” said Dr de Marco, explaining that the potential was so great that they have all been taken up for the pilot project.

He stressed on the need to reverse the tendency for people to bring down old houses and rebuild into blocks of flats. “We’re still on time to stop the trend and by that we’re all the winners for it. This is our patrimony.”

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that the scheme will be applicable again once the 2013 budget goes through.